The George Washington Carver National Monument

The First National Monument dedicated to an African American and the First National Monument dedicated to a Non-President

The George Washington Carver National Monument was established on July 14, 1943 by President Frederick D. Roosevelt in Newton County, Missouri near the city of Diamond at the 210 acre boyhood farm were George Washignton Carver was raised. The monument was the first national monument dedicated to an African American and the first national monument dedicated to a non-president when it was established. President Roosevelt donated $30,000 to found the monument in 1943.

George Washington Carver

The park was meant to honor the life and legacy of George Washington Carver, the world renown scientist, botanist, educator, agronomist, chemist and inventor. Time magazine actually called him the “Black Leonardo Da Vinci”. One of the many reasons this site was chosen, outside of it being his birthplace, was because the rolling hills, woodlands, and prairies helped develop a love of nature and a yearning to understand nature in a young George Washington Carver. It was this curiosity and love that initially propelled him towards the path of greatness.

Below you will find photos of three famous areas and/or sculptures within the national park: George Washington Carver’s birth site, a statue of a young boy Carver, and a George Washington Carver talking bust. The birth site is located on the Carver Trail. This trail is 3/4 mile long and on it you can view the boy Carver statue, the birth site and many other historical areas located at the park. Along the trail, you will also find numerous historical plaques which provide images of and inspiring quotes by George Washington Carver. The Boy Carver Statue was created by Robert Amendola in 1960. This sculpture was designed to show a young George Washington Carver sitting and wondering about the beauties of nature. The talking bust will actually recite a poem by Edward Guest entitled “Equipment” in George Washington Carver’s own voice.